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​Part V of XIII

“… Here Gus.”
“Higher Johnny.”
“This side of the Antietam commands.”
“What happened up here on 16 September?”
“There was a cannon fight.”
“A cannonading.”
“Burnside had a special artillerist.”
“A gunner.”
“A year out of West Point and future Medal of Honor awardee.”
“Go.”
“On the 16th, from the ridge behind us, this artillerist could hit Sharpsburg.”
“Sounds like Lee getting hit and Burnside knew.”
“On the 17th this battery is moved a half-mile south, near Burnside’s headquarters.”
“Burnside had his headquarters a half-mile south of the bridge, not here?”
“Correct – at a farm on the Rohrersville Road.”
“Reb, that’s closer to the fords – and more locals too.”
“Batteries L and M were here.”
“The batteries not engaged.”
“The next morning Lee is at the same spot in Sharpsburg.”
“And could surmise a meaning Johnny.”
“The message is presented in the absence.”
“The silence is the message.”
“By nine in the morning on 17 September …”

Next Up: 6 April and part VI of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Fords.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

​​Part IV of XIII

“… Sign needs a summary Reb.”
“Yanks formed here to assault the bridge.”
“Choir’s gonna sing.”
“Infantry passed through the fence.”
“Down the road under fire.”
“Made it 200 yards Gus.”
“Stalled and pinned down for two hours.”
“After crossing the bridge at 1:00, the Yanks filed left.”
“Filed to the high ground behind the overlook.”
“Took the long way around.”
“Look at when the choir formed Johnny.”
“That would be 10:00 a.m.”
“Six hours before AP Hill arrived.”
“To save Lee’s army.”
“Like a blessing.”
“From Burnside.”
“Let’s step back Johnny …”

​​“… There were lots of Yanks here.”
“Ninth Corps had more than 10,000.”
“All the Yank officers: how corrupt?”
“Suspect is Burnside … maybe one or two others.”
“Communicate with Lee?”
“Possible, though dangerous Gus.”
“Left flank was floating.”
“Blindly.”
“Indirect communication?”
“Much easier.”
“Just have signs.”
“En garde.”
“Like friendly fencers fencing.”
“If one needs time …”
“… The other gives time.”
“Something happened the day before, on 16 September, like that.”
“Where?”
“Up on the hill to the right.”
“After you Reb.”
“This way …”

Next Up: 5 April and part V of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: 16 September.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

​​Part III of XIII

“…Here’s there Yank.”
“A fordable crick.”
“A crick has fords.”
“Which means wagons can cross.”
“Some kind of road.”
“Snavely’s Ford is nearby.”
“To the left.”
“Down Rohrersville Road?”
“One must make two rights, maybe two miles by road – one or so as the crow flies.”
“And up there is the Georgia Overlook.”
“On that high ground.”
“Which recedes to the left Reb.”
“An avenue of approach.”
“Burnside should have asked his choir.”
“Infantry.”
“Ask the privates if they want batteries L and M to shell that overlook.”
“Would half an hour do?”
“I think so.”
“Then cross the crick.”
“Fly – jump – skip like a rock Johnny.”
“Or …”

​​“… Run 300 yards into fire at flank and front.”
“To a choke point.”
“A choke point that Reb batteries have ranged.”
“Which then leaves a hill to be assaulted.”
“Confounded bridge.”
“I know there weren’t that many Georgians.”
“Little over 300.”
“Rebel casualties?”
“Report says 110.”
“After three hours of bombardment?”
“Both sides report it was heavy.”
“Rifle shots from thousands of Yank infantry?”
“Everybody running out of ammunition.”
“Doesn’t seem effective Reb.”
“The Yank casualties might have been a thousand.”
“That’s a factor of ten.”
“Effectively consuming Yanks.”
“And effectively buying Lee time.”
“Let’s see the sign Gus.”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 2 April and part IV of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Sign.

​Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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​“… Get overlooked.”
“Say more Reb.”
“It’s how Burnside did things.”
“Always with Lee in mind.”
“Yes.”
“An example.”
“Burnside had two batteries he didn’t use.”
“A battery can fire a thousand rounds.”
“So times two Gus.”
“Two thousands rounds.”
“The ones not used were the 3rd US Artillery, batteries L and M.”
“Burnside’s old unit.”
“When he was in Mexico.”
“And not used all day Johnny, means the afternoon too?”
“The report says, ‘not engaged at Antietam.’”
“Manure.”
“And yet.”
“And yet what?”
“The captain in charge of the Yank batteries was cited for ‘gallant and meritorious service at Antietam.’”
“For not firing?”
“Maybe he helped the wounded.”
“Maybe …”

​“… So there’s the Antietam.”
“It was fall not spring.”
“More leaves.”
“One of the assaults on the bridge formed down there.”
“Is that an old road Reb?”
“Rohrersville.”
“I imagine it led to Rohrersville.”
“And to Sharpsburg, crossing the Rohrbach Bridge, now called Burnside’s.”
“Germans: Rohrersville and Rohrbach.”
“Yes.”
“What did the Georgians say about the crick?”
“Fordable above and below the bridge.”
“But the Yanks thought otherwise.”
“At all hazards.”
“I imagine Burnside didn’t want to know, didn’t want a different answer.”
“Fait accompli.”
“There were friendlies around, Unionists, and Burnside’s a talker, he could have easily asked a local.”
“Had the answer he wanted.”
“Burnside and the Ninth Corps were in North Carolina, in the swamps.”
“Spring of 1862: Pamlico Sound and New Bern.”
“So what matters a few feet of fresh water Johnny?”
“Preaching to the choir.”
“Let’s go down there.”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 29 March and part III of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Choir.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

​Part I of XIII

“This it Reb?”
“Ferry Hill Yank.”
“Fancy place.”
“Henry Kyd Douglas had means.”
“It’s like we’re waiting for him.”
“Saddle up!”
“But who was Kyd?”
“Ask that of any of us Gus.”
“Did we hear the word sedition while in the Valley?”
“Insurrection too.”
“My laughing crow.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s not about me, Gus Kotka.”
“Say more.”
“Well …”

​“… Is that Shepherdstown?”
“West Virginia.”
“Elmwood Cemetery.”
“Kyd’s buried there.”
“Reb, this Antietam thing.”
“Burnside helping Lee and Lee knowing Burnside was helping him.”
“It’s teaching us something about today.”
“Treason.”
“Before we go to Washington.”
“Garland and the thirty Thousand.”
“Because there are modern Burnsides.”
“Agreed.”
“Where’s our flag?”
“This way …”

​“… The Georgia Overlook.”
“Can’t see a thing Reb.”
“The bridge is at the top of the flag.”
“I see an arch.”
“Yanks ran across that field.”
“And you Rebs shot ‘em.”
“As quick as we could.”
“How’d you Georgians survive the artillery?”
“There was some.”
“Some?”
“Numbers don’t lie Gus.”
“People do Johnny.”
“Affirmed.”
“Burnside was an artillery officer.”
“West Point.”
“These trees, this Maryland rock, shells exploding,  ricocheting ...”
“Right.”
“I don’t understand Johnny.”
“Some things …”

Next Up: 26 March and part II of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Overlooked.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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​Part XIII of XIII 

“… Here Yank?”
“Thanks Reb, I just …”
“Felt it too Gus.”
“I want to judge Benjamin Berry.”
“We must.”
“Then who judges us?”
“The present.”
“We didn’t treat women right Johnny.”
“We laughed when the idea of women voting was mentioned.”
“Derision.”
“Think of the flag here Gus, and how I once saw it.”
“Enemy.”
“And now?”
“Friend.”
“How’s that possible?”
“A higher value.”
“We the People.”
“We the People.”
“Represented according to numbers.”
“Our thirty Thousand.”
“Some southerners moved away, to places like Illinois and Indiana, to get away from slavery.”
“Burnside Johnny, his father, after the Revolution, moved from South Carolina to Liberty Indiana.”
“Telling.”
“Speaking of telling …”

“… Arnold Burnside reminded me of our Somewhere unfinished business.”
“Ambrose.”
“Arnold to me.”
“Your laughing crow.”
“And Morgan said to start in Berryville.”
“We have started.”
“Now to finish.”
“Correct.”
“I think that means we go see the smudge.”
“I think so too Yank.”
“From here let’s poof over to Somewhere first, and then to DC.”
“I have a starting Somewhere place in mind.”
“Can we slow-poof it to Somewhere?”
“You want to walk through the Valley?”
“The Shenandoah Valley Reb.”
“Right on.”
“Walk-off some of this Berryvillin’.”
“I like it.”
“Let’s go to Harper’s Ferry.”
“And up to Shepherdstown from Halltown.”
“A.P. Hill’s march.”
“Then we’ll cross the Potomac Yank.”
“Garland?”
“On board seems.”
“Oh my Johnny ~ thanks for the Berryville time.”
“Berryvillin’ ~ thanks Gus.”

Next Up: 22 March 2022 and part one of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Georgia Overlook.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner 

​Part XII of XIII
 
“… Here’s Ben Gus.”
“Three hundred years.”
“Ben’s birth year was 1724.”
“So you found some Benjamin history too?”
“Did.”
“What of Kentucky Sarah?”
“The Berry family was in Kentucky before it was Kentucky.”
“How?”
“There’s a Berry’s Lick operating in 1786.”
“Salt mining.”
“Sarah’s 1827 will stated she owned a thousand acres in Green River, Kentucky.”
“Making salt … in Kentucky … slave labor.”
“Yes.”
“More slave coin Johnny.”
“So much slave coin Ben would …”
“What would Benjamin do?”
“The word doesn’t sound right Gus, correct I mean.”
“What word?”

“Gift.”
“Benjamin Berry gifted people?”
“Via deed Gus.”
“An example?”
“Legal papers.”
“Say what?”
“‘Deed of Gift to daughter Sarah Stribling – 4 negroes.’”
“When?”
“1804.”
“No words for that Reb.”
“How slavery worked.”
“What else?”
“Sarah’s birth name appears to be Mary.”
“Mary Berry.”
“Sarah might have been a middle name.”
“Always something in Berryville Reb.”
“Always something Yank.”
“Let’s front.”
“Sure …”

Next Up: 22 October and the series finale Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Front.
​
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Part XI of XIII 

“… Sarah … I can’t find Sarah Gus.”
“What?”
“Well, word says she’s buried here, as Sarah Stribling.”
“Yet no headstone.”
“Correct.”
“Any history on Sarah Reb?”
“Lots.”
“Like?”
“Sarah Berry married John Humphreys.”
“Who’s that?”
“John Humphreys was KIA 31 DEC 1775.”
“KIA.”
“1775.”
“Where?”
“Quebec, Canada.”
“Reb … Daniel Morgan was there and surrendered on that date.”
“Humphreys was with Morgan’s company: First Lieutenant of Riflemen.”
“Sarah lost her husband under Morgan’s command during the Revolution?”
“Before independence was even declared.”

“So Sarah Humphreys is a widow in Berryville in 1776.”
“Well, there is no Berryville yet: that happens in 1798.”
“So what happens with Sarah?”
“In 1789, Sarah marries William Stribling.”
“Fourteen years after Humphreys.”
“Yes.”
“Who is Stribling?”
“William has money, is young and owns land next to Benjamin Berry’s (her father’s) plantation.”
“Children?”
“They have two.”
“Names?”
“Elizabeth and Dulcibella.”
“What else?”
“William dies in 1793.”
“Ach!”
“Something like that.”
“So Sarah Stribling inherits William’s land next to her father’s that then becomes Berryville in 1798.”
“Then there’s Kentucky.”
“Sarah goes to Kentucky?”
“After Benjamin … ”

Next Up: 15 October and part XII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Benjamin.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Part X of XIII

“… Happy Constitution Day Yank.”
“Smudge Day Johnny.”
“Yupper.”
“Tell the story again, about how George had the founders put a smudge on the Constitution.”
“I thought you might ask Gus.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.”
“So you have something prepared?”
“Let me present, Constitution Day 1787.”
“Let’s go Reb.”
“Nowhere to go Yank, as we can story-tell right here.”
“Okay.”
“Conjure and imagine, if you will, the interior of …

INDEPENDENCE HALL, PHILADELPHIA PA – DAY 17 SEP 1787

GEORGE WASHINGTON (55) is chairing the Constitutional Convention and it is the last day, signing day, 17 September 1787. The hall is full of founders, such as ALEXANDER HAMILTON (30), JAMES MADISON (36), and BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (81); they are all gathered to conclude the convention and begin their journeys home. The (almost) completed Constitution is read aloud as well as a speech written by Franklin. WE HEAR the MURMUR of restive and attentive voices as NATHANIAL GORHAM (49), someone known to all in the room, rises to speak; he is a Massachusetts delegate, Chairman of the Whole during the convention, and Washington acknowledges him from the podium.

WASHINGTON
I see Nathanial, the honorable Mr. Gorham, would like to speak.

GORHAM
Gentlemen, if it is not too late, I would like that the clause declaring, 'the number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every forty Thousand,' be reconsidered.

WASHINGTON
You mean the representation clause.

GORHAM
Yes, and since it produced so much discussion, perhaps we should reconsider it.

WASHINGTON
Your proposal?

GORHAM
For a greater representation of the people, I propose we strike out 'forty' Thousand and insert 'thirty' Thousand.

HAMILTON
Agreed!

FRANKLIN
Yes!

Madison nods agreement.

WASHINGTON
(pauses) 
Although my situation has hitherto restrained me from offering sentiments on questions before the convention, and perhaps ought to now –

LAUGHTER. 

I can’t forbear expressing my wish that the change proposed might take place.

HAMILTON
Say more.

WASHINGTON
It is much desired that the objections to the plan recommended might be as few as possible, and the smallness of the proportion of Representatives was considered by many members of the Convention, an insufficient security for the rights and interests of the people.

FRANKLIN
Yes.

WASHINGTON
The representation ratio had always seemed to me to be the exceptionable part of the plan, and late as the present moment was for admitting amendments, I believe it of so much consequence that it would give much satisfaction to see it adopted.

The founders then vote and the change is unanimously accepted. Madison and a clerk make the edit to the Constitution by altering the word 'forty' into 'thirty,' and in doing so leave a smudge.”

“Thanks for The Story of Smudge Day Johnny.”
“You’re welcome.”
“What’s the word on the usurpers and the surrender?”
“Merrick Garland.”
“Who’s that?”
“The Attorney General for We the People.”
“Word is?”
“We’ve asked for support.”
“I like it.”
“Also, there’s some news about Sarah.”
“Berry?”
“Right, …”

Next Up: 1 October and part XI of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Sarah.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

​

Part IX of XIII

“… How’s this?”
“Thanks Reb.”
“Them crows got to ya Yank.”
“I wasn’t sure what to think?”
“I heard ‘em too.”
“There are a lot of crows in Berryville.”
“Yes.”
“There’s even a street named Crow.”
“That’s for a family.”
“I thought so too, and said so to the crows.”
“And?”
“The crows, they wondered who that family would be named after, if not them?”
“Crows.”
“What is with these obelisks Johnny?”
“Good question Gus.”
“They’re … ”

​
​“… How much slavery was there here in Berryville?”
“Clarke County was about half enslaved in 1860.”
“Berryville’s in Clarke.”
“County seat.”
“These stone obelisks, crosses and testimonials, were built with slave coin.”
“I hear ya.”
“The stained glass windows, the brick church.”
“Economy of slavery.”
“We can see what enslaved people built, what their labors contributed.”
“We can.”
“It’s right here, here in these stones.”
“And the stained glass.”
“What’s next Johnny?”
“Got some news Gus.”
“Do tell.”

​

“The truth has come.”
“The thirty Thousand.”
“And the falsehood shall vanish.”
“The usurpation.”
“And shall not come back.”
“Sounds like you’ve gotten word.”
“Word is expected by 17 September Gus.”
“Constitution Day.”
“Yes.”
“What if no word?”
“Then the Office of the - ”
“- Don’t say Reb.”
“Right.”
“Soon enough, we’ll all know.”
“Meantime … let’s look for some Berrys.”
“Johnny: I had forgotten our purpose.”
“This way Gus …”

Next Up: 17 September and part X of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Smudge Day 2021.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner